Berkeley Heights Public Schools declines, moves behind neighboring districts in rankings.

-Written by a non-politically connected Educator in the Community

Niche has released its “2025 Best School Districts in New Jersey” rankings. A total of 388 school districts were ranked. The full list for New Jersey can be found here. 

During Dr. Melissa Varley’s last year as Superintendent, the rankings took a huge nosedive. Not only did Berkeley Heights Public Schools (BHPS) continue to lag behind neighboring districts, but it also suffered a 23-place drop out of the top 50.

Using the BHCW seven district data dashboard, here are the overall district rankings for New Jersey school districts (compared to last year’s rankings):

#3: Millburn Township Public Schools (no change)

#7: Summit Public Schools (down 1 place)

#9: The School District of the Chathams (up 4 places)

#13: New Providence School District (up 2 places)

#19: Westfield Public Schools (down 5 places)

#56: Madison Public Schools (down 15 places)

#66: Berkeley Heights Public Schools (down 23 places)

Within Union County, the rankings go as follows:

#1: Summit

#2: New Providence

#3: Westfield

#4: Scotch Plains-Fanwood

#5: Cranford

#6: Berkeley Heights

#7: Springfield

#8: Roselle Park

#9: Clark

#10: Union Township

In prior years, Summit and Westfield are typically in first and second place (those two districts have moved back and forth), New Providence has come in third, Berkeley Heights in fourth, and Scotch Plains-Fanwood in fifth place. This year, BHPS has bounced out of the top 5 while Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Cranford moved ahead.

These rankings consider factors such as academics, teachers, clubs and activities, sports, resources and facilities, diversity, college prep, administration, and food.

The Niche rankings are not the most scientific and are based less on mathematics, reading, and Advanced Placement (AP) test proficiencies than other rankings, such as U.S. News and World Report. The U.S. News and World Report rankings reflect a decline from the prior year as well.

Posted on each page of the latest Niche rankings, each district’s summary of proficiency in math and reading from state test scores are the following:

Other notable 2025 rankings (compared to last year) include Livingston (#12, consistent), Bernards (#14, up two places), Somerset Hills (#20, up three places), Edison (#33, down two places), Bridgewater-Raritan (#41, up one place), and Morristown (#65, up 20 places).

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